SOLD OUT! When it comes to Gigondas, Saint Damien is one of the top producers in the region. And the 2018 Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane was one of the top Southern Rhones of the vintage.
Rated 97 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and 94 points by Jeb Dunnuck, this big and bold red is rocking good.
2018 Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane
97 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 94 points Jeb Dunnuck
SOLD OUT
Let’s start the conversation with that great Wine Advocate review. It’s spot on! “The 2018 Gigondas La Louisiane looks to be another terrific example of this cuvée. Raspberries, black cherries, tea leaves and violets all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, velvety and long on the finish. Drink 2021 – 2035.” This was Joe Czerwinski’s review of a barrel sample he had in August of 2019. After enjoying a bottle recently, I can assure you this is a 97 point-rated wine.
It should come as no surprise that Saint Damien crafted one of the top Gigondas’ of the 2018 vintage. Their Gigondas cuvées have become the reference for classic and traditional Gigondas. Saint Damien’s wines are always some of the top rated wines of the AOC., yet, their prices remain quite reasonable, and I never pass on these highly allocated wines.
Saint Damien had a tough year in 2018. They lost half their crop to mildew, but the remaining fruit was of a very high quality. And that’s what is inside this bottle. The La Louisiane is a single vineyard wine composed of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and the remaining balance in Cinsault and Syrah. The vines are old and all of the vineyards are certified organic. Fermented in cement tanks, the wine is aged for 12 months in large oak foudres.
The resulting wine is a world-class effort that can be enjoyed now or 10 to 15 years down the road. If enjoying this one on the young side, do yourself a favor and decant it for at least an hour and enjoy with leg of lamb or a hearty stew. Cheers and keeping drinking the good stuff in the AVL!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville